High-flying Kawasaki Frontale maintained their slender lead atop the J. League first division on Saturday despite being held to a 1-1 draw away to 10-man Oita Trinita on Saturday.

News photoUrawa Reds midfielder Shinji Ono (right) shoots while Ventforet Kofu's Arata Sugiyama tries to defend during their J. League first-division match on Saturday at Kose Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. KYODO PHOTO

Kawasaki remains one point clear after closest rivals Urawa Reds and defending champions Gamba Osaka both drew but Kashima Antlers made ground on the leaders with a 2-0 win over bottom club Cerezo Osaka.